A group of researchers were able to trace the origins of colon cancer cases to a couple who migrated from England back in 1630, during the time of the Pilgrims. The research studied two families who shared common ancestors - the English couple.

They found out that these families carry a gene mutation responsible for colorectal cancer. More information about their research in the full article.

Oh man. The Apophis meteor is to hit us in year 2029, but even before that happens, the world might be facing a more immediate problem. See, it's been known that Yellowstone has been sitting on top of a super volcano. And though it has long been revealed that Yellowstone is way past its due date for explosion, recent findings show that the 30-mile gap between the magma and Yellowstone's surface has now been substantially reduced to only 6 miles. Is it getting hot in here or what? There's still some hope though...

Being a driver entails a lot of responsibility, not only for your own safety and your passenger's, but to other drivers and pedestrians as well. That's why we have this strong advocacy against getting behind the wheel when you've had something to drink, and if you are too tired and sleepy. Bottom line is, we want to avoid any untoward accidents that may cost you your life and others'.

Senator Carole Migden is one of those who firmly adhere to this, hence she voted for the ban of use of mobile phones that do not come with a hands-free device while driving. But irony sure has a funny way of showing up at your door. While driving, the San Francisco Democrat reportedly rear-ended a woman as she was reaching for her ringing cellphone last week. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt or injured.

According to recent studies on cell phone use among drivers conducted by David L. Strayer and Frank A. Drews of the University of Utah, it's not the gadget itself that distracts the drivers or is the one causing the accident. Rather, it is the conversation that results to an "inattention blindness" that leads to this unfortunate event. Having a normal conversation with a passenger while driving, on the other hand, still allows drivers to pay attention to their driving environment.

So to remind you all out there, it is understandable that there really are some instances when you would have to answer the call. But of course, while you believe and trust in your multitasking skills, it still wouldn't hurt to follow the safety recommendations provided by the AAA. It is for your own good.

• Recognize that driving requires your full attention.

• Before you get into the car, become familiar with the phone's features.

• Use the phone only when absolutely necessary.

• Use the phone only when and where it's safe to do so.

• Ask a passenger to place the call for you and do the talking.

• Keep the call short.

• Tell the person at the other end that you're driving.

• Get off the phone as soon as possible - especially in traffic or bad weather.

• Don't combine a phone conversation with other distractions.

• Secure your phone so it doesn't become a projectile in a crash.

Remember, safety first.

There's a reason why the volcano over at Yellowstone is considered super. Apart from the fact that it spans parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, scientists recently discovered yet another super thing about it. Apparently, there is significant activity going on beneath its placid-looking surface -- and one that is increasing lately. Add to that little bit of news is the discovery that the nearby Treton Range is getting shorter.

So does this mean that the Yellowstone supervolcano is moving over the landscape, thereby affecting the expanse of the nearby range? Probably so. But that's only the tip of the iceberg -- er, volcano.

It's been said that researchers have been poring 17 years of their work just tracking the horizontal and vertical motion of the Yellowstone caldera. This is the huge volcanic crater that was created, thanks to the super-eruption of the supervolcano some super 60, 000 years ago.

According to lead study author Robert Smith of the University of Utah, "we think it's a combination of magma being intruded under the caldera and hot water released from the magma being pressurized because it's trapped." And while they still do not consider this as enough warning or evidence for impending doom, aka a supervolcanic eruption, "it would be prudent to keep monitoring the volcano."

While there are some volcanoes, there are some volcanoes. And some of those volcanoes just happen to be super (and that's not the type that flies around with a red cape and a stylized S).

They're different from your explosively popular Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rushmore, and Mt. Vesuvius because while these volcanoes really pack a mighty punch, we're talking about super volcanoes here. There exists some massive, and we mean, gigantic volcanoes that could explode so violently and so wide that it could change the climate of the earth! We're talking 2500 times more powerful than Mt. St. Helens.

Now if that's not enough to scare you (who wouldn't be scared with that warning?!), here's the clincher: it's closer to home than you think. Some of you might actually have had a relaxing picnic right on top of it - Yellowstone National Park. Volcanic activity has been going on under there for about two million years now. And on average, it erupts every 600,00 years - it's last eruption being 640,000 years ago. Is it overdue? Well, this doesn't automatically mean that there will be an explosion soon, but there have been reports of increased thermic and seismic activity in the area recently.

So what happens if it does blow? Well... aside from causing a mini-Ice Age for the planet, let this picture of the primary blast-area speak for itself:

For what it's worth, it's good to know that the United States Geological Service (USGS) and University of Utah are keeping a watchful eye on it, and there have been scientific advances in predicting eruptions. So if ever Yellowstone goes kablooey, we can be properly notified (and start to panic?) in advance.

A new toxin discovered by scientists at the University of Utah could very well help end many of the mental problems people face in this day and age. Perhaps more importantly for readers who don't have to worry about Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, the new toxin may also help treat depression once fully developed.

The toxin comes from a species of snail in the Pacific called the Conus omaria. This toxin, now known as alpha conotoxin Om1A (oh-em-one-ay), is known for its ability to grab onto nicotine receptors in the brain, the same receptors that are affected every time you smoke. Because of this, the toxin would be especially helpful in treating mental diseases that work by affecting those parts of the brain.

Unlike nicotine, however, Om1A can hit different kinds of nicotinic receptors. For instance, Parkinson's disease means a decrease in dopamine levels, so a variant of the toxin to latch onto the receptors associated with dopamine release could be made. The same idea goes for the receptors that affect Alzheimer's and clinical depression.

Of course, the development of an actual drug is still far away, since using pure toxin wouldn't probably be a good idea. About 10 to 20 years is the current scientific estimate, so it may just be in time for you if you happen to develop Alzheimer's disease. Let's hope we can remember to get some when the time comes.